It’s pretty much common knowledge that THQ is now dead and selling off its assets to multiple companies. The WWE license went to 2K Sports, Volition went to Koch Media, Crytek bought Homefront, etc. You can see the full list here. But there are smaller assets that are still with THQ and are to be auctioned off by April, namely the console distribution rights to some of Double Fine’s games.

THQ published and distributed Double Fine’s Costume Quest and Stacking across the Xbox 360 and PS3 in 2010 and 2011 respectively (While Double Fine did all of it themselves on PC). Double Fine VP of business development Justin Bailey stated to Polygon, “THQ retained limited distribution rights that we bid on during the previous process to reclaim them prior to their expiration.” Double Fine still owns the IP to these two games, but in its current state, other companies could scoop up the publishing rights for the console versions, thus potentially stifling Double Fine’s freedom to choose different publisher if they choose to make more games in each franchise. If they get them back, they have 100% control again, and can choose to find a more fitting publisher or self-publish those games on consoles.

Double Fine optimistic about regaining rights to Costume Quest and Stacking from THQ [Polygon, via DigitalTrends]